Welded bucket hooks or those from BXpanded

[D902 BX PILOT]

guys,

have realized that moving my fine cut mower deck would be easier (taking mower deck axles off), if i were able to suspend it. could i ask you all for an eyeball guesstimate on what your dealers have charged for welding 2 or 3 bucket hooks?
another option is BXpanded . . . harry is a good fellow (i have a loader dolly & sprayer) . . . any feedback on the bucket hook clip ons.

thanks for any and all responses, D902 BX PILOT BX2360

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

guys,

have realized that moving my fine cut mower deck would be easier (taking mower deck axles off), if i were able to suspend it. could i ask you all for an eyeball guesstimate on what your dealers have charged for welding 2 or 3 bucket hooks?
another option is BXpanded . . . harry is a good fellow (i have a loader dolly & sprayer) . . . any feedback on the bucket hook clip ons.

thanks for any and all responses, D902 BX PILOT BX2360

A few tractors back I started having Barlows add a hook to the center of my buckets. He hasn't charged me anything but it was always at the time of a purchase and I always forgot to ask until just before delivery so he had not added it in. There is some value to a good dealer. Each person has to decide the dollar amount that it's worth to them.

 

[Morgan Kubota]

bucket hooks are really pretty inexpensive. Like JT said we always add them at no charge when unit is purchesed. Takes maybe ten minutes to weld hook on and paint. if you could bring your bucket to dealer cant see where they could charge more than 30-35 bucks. figure 7-10 for hook and 25 labor. easy job with big benefits.

 

[oldballs]

My MMM was stored on a pallet for the winter. When it came time to install it and service it, the pallet forks were used to bring it up close to the garage. There, it was suspended at a nice working height and set on jack stands while I changed the gear oil, attached the belt, greased etc The blades didn't need any servicing. Later I'll probably get some hooks attached also. I didn't like the way a welded hook would need extra plates to make attachment to the top edge. The BXpanded product looks like a good alternative.

 

[D902 BX PILOT]

guys,
i started to think, my best friend has a muffler and brake shop and has access to a mig welder 110, if im able to source the bucket hooks, we'll be able to do in my driveway . . . weooooo!
any suggestions? D902

 

[Tom_H]

There is another, much cheaper option. I will try to find and post the links to pics as soon as I can find them in the archives.

 

[ultrarunner]

I bolted 5/16 hooks to each side of my bucket with a single grade 8 bolt each.

My BX capacity is under 500 lbs and the bolted hooks are plenty strong enough and not expensive... less than $10 for hooks and bolts.

 

[Tom_H]

I recommend going through all the links and pics in this thread. My own pics near the end will give you a solution that is much cheaper, and provide strength that is far greater than the capacity of a BX to lift.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...9282-bx24-need-recommendations-bolt-edge.html

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

My MMM was stored on a pallet for the winter. When it came time to install it and service it, the pallet forks were used to bring it up close to the garage. There, it was suspended at a nice working height and set on jack stands while I changed the gear oil, attached the belt, greased etc The blades didn't need any servicing. Later I'll probably get some hooks attached also. I didn't like the way a welded hook need extra plates to make attachment to the top edge. The BXpandedwould product looks like a good alternative.

I've never added extra plates. It's just welded to top center of bucket. I've picked up a Landpride 6' RFM with mine and no problem. Course couldn't get it high enough to setit on the trailer. Going to attach tiller and try again.

guys,
i started to think, my best friend has a muffler and brake shop and has access to a mig welder 110, if im able to source the bucket hooks, we'll be able to do in my driveway . . . weooooo!
any suggestions? D902

Barlows has them out front of the counter in a box. TSC or about anu tractor dealer should have them.

 

[coreshot]

guys,
i started to think, my best friend has a muffler and brake shop and has access to a mig welder 110, if im able to source the bucket hooks, we'll be able to do in my driveway . . . weooooo!
any suggestions? D902

Check with your local tow truck company and ask them where they get their chains and supplies from. That's where I get mine from for around 5 bucks apiece.

 

[crazyal]

For a BX I wouldn't worry about it but for a larger machine there are some simple steps that should be followed before welding on a hook. Depending on the type of steel preheating and the correct type of rod or wire. I've seen several that have snapped off, either the hook snaps or the weld doesn't bite deep enough.

Another option would be to weld the hook onto a flat plate of steel and bolt that to the bucket (and maybe another flat plate on the inside to beef it up). That way you wouldn't need to bring the bucket to somebody and if one broke or you found that you would like to have a slip over a grab hook you could easily change it.

 

[gwdixon]

Chain grab hooks can be Googled.

Here is one hit. There are several styles.

I like welding to a plate first since it spreads out the load.

TrucknTow - Weld-On Grab Hooks (Pellican Hooks)

 

[BXinNH]

I have the BXpanded forks for my BX24. I wanted to get a set of hooks as well but I'm, uh, cheap and I thought the price for the hooks was a little high. I made up a pair of hooks that fit in the BXpanded fork brackets so I get all the advantages of easy adjustment/on/off without buying another set of basically the same bracket. I probably have pictures somewhere if anyone is interested.
Matt.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've never added extra plates. It's just welded to top center of bucket. I've picked up a Landpride 6' RFM with mine and no problem. Course couldn't get it high enough to setit on the trailer. Going to attach tiller and try again.


Barlows has them out front of the counter in a box. TSC or about anu tractor dealer should have them.

Got Landpride 6'RFM on trailer today. Had lifted it with hook on center of BX2660 bucket but lifted tractor off ground in rear. Today I picked it almost off the ground with center hook on BX25. With BH on back kept the rear of tractor on the ground. One wheel was skimming ground because tractor wouldn't totally lift it but hook held. I use the like 30000 lbs straps I bought off ebay for my lifting.

 

[lakeside]

I have a B26 and welding four hooks, two to the front bucket and two to the backhoe bucket. I bought the four hooks from TrucknTow.

I used 3/16" thick, 2 3/4" wide and 6 " long flat steel to weld the hooks to. I also drilled two 3/4" holes in each plate to plug-weld the plates to the bucket.

I first used a grinder to bevel the edges of the plates and to clean the bucket area where the plates would go. Once both the plates and bucket were shiny I again used 6013 rod to weld along the edges of the plate. I also plug-welded the plates so all the force wouldn't be just supported by the bead along the edges of the plates.

I welded the hooks directly to the backhoe bucket (and about in line with the cylinder attachment) as its made out of thicker steel than the front bucket. A bit of spray paint and it came out really well. Sorry no pics though.